p. 7 | DRAWING TOWARD ROME by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, Cal. · Sep 20, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 38.

DRAWING TOWARD ROME.

By Editor

We are given some new evidence every week that the movement toward Rome in this country among the so-called evangelical churches is going on apace. The trend toward Rome must be apparent to the most superficial observer. That it can not be imputed merely to growing liberality of sentiment, or a broader brotherly feeling merely, is shown in the fact that the customs and teachings of Rome are being adopted, and the example of Rome is being followed in ritualism, in disregard for the law of God in its purity, in fasts and holidays, and in looking to Rome's leaders for counsel and blessing.

The newest evidence of this tendency was manifest recently at Washington, D. C. We quote the Washington despatch just as sent out by the Call Bureau of Washington, under date of August 28:

By seeking and obtaining the blessing of Cardinal Gibbons upon a cross to be presented to Miss Marie Smith, a bright pupil of the Sunday-school of the Washington Heights Presbyterian Church, the Rev. E. Lawrence Hunt, pastor of that church, startled some of his congregation yesterday, particularly the elders. It was Mr. Hunt's farewell service, as his resignation will take effect on September 1. At the conclusion of his sermon, he approached Miss Smith and said:

"I saw Cardinal Gibbons last week, and his Eminence graciously promised that if I would send him the cross, he would bless it. I did so. This will have an added sacredness and value to you as a faithful child of the church, because it has a cardinal's blessing. In my judgment, too, as a Protestant minister, his blessing means much to you personally. From my point of view it means that a great, good man is interested in you, and he prayed for you."

"But Cardinal Gibbons' blessing of this cross has a wider significance. It is of interest to all. The church of God is the hope of the world. That a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church should bless a cross given by a minister of the Presbyterian church of Washington to a child as a reward for learning the Gospel of St. John out of a Bible given by a Presbyterian Board, will do untold good to the Roman Catholic Church."

There can be no doubt that the Catholic Church will be advantaged by it. Every such move made places Rome on new vantage-ground in the way of gaining influence and adherents. What other result could come from the gift of a Catholic emblem carrying the "blessing" of the Catholic cardinal of America to a Protestant Sunday-school pupil as a "reward of merit"? What else could it signify than the idea that there was greater efficacy in the "blessing" of the cardinal and the prayer of the cardinal than in that of any official of the church to which that pupil belonged? It is also worthy of note that these advances are all made by so-called Protestants. Rome does not come over the boundary to meet her admirers—they must come to her; and they are coming and bringing their flocks with them. This instance is not isolated—it is symptomatic. It is in perfect harmony with the great trend toward Rome and away from Protestant principles, away from the Reformation and all it stood for.

An innovation has been introduced into the services of one of the Episcopal churches of San Francisco that is in accord with this Romeward tendency. This church, known as the Church of the Advent, has the reputation of being "extremely ritualistic," and follows many of the rites and ceremonies that have long been obsolete in the Anglican Church generally. The following regarding this innovation we quote from the San Francisco Call, of recent date:

While the saints in the calendar have certain days which are commemorative and observed by all members with prayer and praise, the custom of the Roman Church of adopting a "patron" from among them is not followed to any extent. The Church of the Advent is the first on the Pacific Coast to revive a custom which has tradition and ancient custom to justify it. This church has ranged itself under the banner of St. John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Christ, and henceforth will consider itself under the special protection of this saint. Supplications will be made for his favor, and a special day appointed in his special honor. To-day being the "Feast of St. John the Baptist," the services will be devoted to a contemplation of the life and martyrdom of one of the greatest minds in Biblical history.

This custom of choosing a patron saint is purely a Roman Catholic custom. It will be noticed that this Episcopal Church purposes to make supplications to St. John for his special favor, as if he were in a position to hear and answer prayer as does our Lord. Even if St. John were now in heaven, we have no authority for praying to him, instead of to Christ. But it is only logical that, having adopted the doctrines of Babylon, her practices should be followed also. So drifts the great religious world toward Rome.